Pillowpax Backpack

ABSTRACT

A backpack system that contains an internal pillow sleeve configured to hold a pillow without interfering with other classroom items. The separate sleeve will reduce the exposure of the pillow to external germs and contaminants. The pillow is shaped and configured to provide additional cushioning to the student for quick, short naps during long study sessions. The student will avoid or reduce embarrassing situations or encounters.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention relates to a backpack configured withremovable sleeves for holding a pillow for back support and use as asleeping pillow.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Students at higher education institutions have the ability toindependently determine their own schedules, with certain class-loadlimitations. The student schedule is filled with classes and activitiesselected by the student.

The course load at the higher education institution often requires thestudent to study or complete course work for long periods of time.Students usually chose quiet libraries or other student lounges due totheir proximity to campus classrooms, and to avoid the distractions oftheir dorms, apartments, or other living quarters.

Most of these libraries or study lounges do not offer any beds, sofas,or any other resting places to allow students to re-energize bysleeping. Small, short naps have been shown to provide large energyboosts to students engaged in long study sessions. These energy boostsare essential to limiting the intake of caffeine and continuing toengage in course work. Many students finally succumb to their exhaustionand leave the library, reducing the amount of time that could be used tostudy.

Many students will attempt to engineer makeshift sleeping arrangementsfrom library materials. However, these materials are usually veryuncomfortable and use of these materials for this purpose is frownedupon by higher education officials.

Students do usually have lightweight, durable, and padded backpacks tocarry laptops, heavy textbooks, writing utensils, calculators, andnotebooks. These backpacks do have extra padding on straps or on backsurfaces designed for alleviating back or shoulder pressure whencarrying heavier loads in the backpack. However, this padding is notcomfortable as a pillow for sleeping.

Most students may feel self-conscious about carrying a pillow aroundcampus. In addition, carrying a pillow around campus may expose thepillow to a variety of germs and contaminants present all over campus.These germs and contaminants could easily be absorbed into the pillow,and spread to the student's head. A loose pillow may also beinadvertently left in a classroom or other location by a tired, orinattentive, student. Finally, campus officials may not approve a pillowbeing brought openly into their facilities.

Placing a pillow into an existing student backpack is also not an idealsolution, as classroom textbooks contained in the backpack, may alsoexpose the pillow to a variety of germs and contaminants.

Therefore, a need exists for a backpack that may be configured tointernally carry a pillow without interfering with other classroomitems. This pillow is shaped and configured to provide additionalcushioning to the student for quick, short naps during long studysessions. The student will avoid or reduce embarrassing situations orencounters. This backpack will carry the pillow in a separate sleeve,reducing the exposure of the pillow to external germs and contaminants.

Many students also attend various campus events. This backpack pillowwill allow students to rest between events to continue their coursework.

Furthermore, students could use this backpack to save money on airlineflights. Most commercial airlines now have separate charges forin-flight use of a pillow and blanket. Since many students attend highereducation institutions at distances far from their hometowns, they oftenmust take at least four flights per year (two round-trip flights) tobegin and end the school year. These students could save on in-flightcharges on these flights by using the pillow in this backpack.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There are additional features of the invention that will be describedhereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claimsappended hereto. In this respect, before explaining at least oneembodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that theinvention is not limited in its application to the details ofconstruction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in thefollowing description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention iscapable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out invarious ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology andterminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description andshould not be regarded as limiting.

The subject invention discloses a backpack configured to carry aremovable pillow, the backpack comprising: a front cover coupled to aback cover along a bottom edge, a top edge, a first side edge, and asecond side edge to define a main body with a top opening to a maininternal compartment; a flap foldably attached to the top edge, suchthat the flap is foldable over the top opening of the main internalcompartment; a first plurality of re-usable fastening devices attachedto the flap and the front cover for holding the flap over the topopening; at least one adjustable shoulder strap on the back cover,wherein the shoulder strap comprises a top padded portion coupled to thetop edge, a bottom portion coupled to the bottom edge; a buckle attachedto the top padded portion of the shoulder strap, wherein the bucklecomprises at least one opening and a friction bar, further wherein thebottom portion of the shoulder strap may be inserted through the openingaround the friction bar to adjustably couple the top portion and thebottom portion of the shoulder strap; a substantially flat pillow sleevecomprising a front sleeve cover coupled to a back sleeve cover along abottom sleeve edge, a top sleeve edge, a first side sleeve edge, and asecond side sleeve edge to define a sleeve body with a top sleeveopening to a sleeve internal compartment; a second plurality ofre-usable fastening devices attached to the top sleeve edge of thepillow sleeve for removably closing the front sleeve cover and backsleeve cover over the sleeve opening; and a pillow removably insertedinto the pillow sleeve through the sleeve opening, wherein the pillowsleeve configures to the shape of the inserted pillow; wherein thepillow sleeve containing the pillow is inserted into the main internalcompartment of the main body.

In another embodiment of the subject invention, the front cover of thepillow sleeve further comprises an exterior pocket. In embodiments ofthe subject invention, the opening of the pocket may have a plurality ofre-usable fastening devices, such as button snaps, zippers, clasps,snaps, toggles, or hook and loop fasteners for closing the pocket. Inother embodiments of the subject invention, the pocket is configured toremovably receive and hold standard writing utensils, such as pencilsand pens.

In a further embodiment of the subject invention, the backpack furthercomprises a second adjustable shoulder strap on the back cover, whereinthe second shoulder strap comprises a top padded portion coupled to thetop edge, a bottom portion coupled to the bottom edge; a second buckleattached to the top padded portion of the second shoulder strap, whereinthe second buckle comprises at least one opening and a friction bar,further wherein the bottom portion of the second shoulder strap may beinserted through the opening around the friction bar to adjustablycouple the top portion and the bottom portion of the second shoulderstrap.

In another embodiment of the subject invention, the first and secondpluralities of re-usable fastening devices may be button snaps, zippers,clasps, snaps, toggles, or hook and loop fasteners.

In other embodiments of the subject invention, the width of the backpackmay be ten to twenty-four inches, and the height of the backpack may besixteen to thirty inches.

In further embodiments of the subject invention, the width of the topflap may be eight to sixteen inches, and the height of the top flap maybe four to ten inches.

In another embodiment of the subject invention, the bottom portion ofeach shoulder strap may comprise a substantially flat webbing strap. Inembodiments of the subject invention, the width of the top portion ofthe shoulder straps may be one to three inches, and the width of thewebbing strap may be one half to two inches.

In further embodiments of the subject invention, the width of the pillowsleeve may be thirteen to twenty inches, and the height of the pillowsleeve may be eighteen to twenty-five inches.

In additional embodiments of the subject invention, the width of the topopening may be fourteen and a half inches in width to accommodate thewidth of the pillow to be inserted.

In other embodiments of the subject invention, the width of the pocketmay be eight to twelve inches, and the height of the pocket may be sixto ten inches.

In further embodiments of the subject invention, the main body of thebackpack and the body of the pillow sleeve may each further includeadditional external pockets, waist straps, chest straps, or reflectivematerials.

In other embodiments of the subject invention, the main body of thebackpack and the body of the pillow sleeve may be composed of anycombination the following: animal fabrics such as wool or silk; animalskin, such as leather or fur; plant fabrics such as cotton, modal, orhemp; or synthetic materials such as nylon, polyester, aramid, ingeo,olefin, acrylic, or synthetic leather.

In further embodiments of the subject invention, the internal surface ofthe top flap, the external surface of the top flap, the front cover, andthe back cover may contain printed indicia thereon. This printed indiciamay include, but is not limited to: logos, cartoon images, photographicimages, game images, lithographic images, advertisements, drawings,hand-painted images, or holographic images.

The subject invention also discloses a backpack configured to carry aremovable cushion, the backpack comprising: a main body with a frontsurface, a back surface, a first side surface, a second side surface,and a bottom surface, wherein a top surface of the main body defines afirst channel to a first storage compartment; a cover movably attachedto an edge of the top surface, such that the cover is movable over thefirst channel of the storage compartment; a first plurality of re-usablefastening devices attached to the cover and the front surface forholding the cover over the channel; at least one adjustable shoulderstrap on the back surface, wherein the shoulder strap comprises a toppadded portion coupled to the edge of the top surface, a bottom portioncoupled to the bottom surface; a buckle adjustably attaching the toppadded portion and the bottom portion of the shoulder strap; a cushioncover comprising a front cover surface, a back cover surface, a firstside cover surface, a second side cover surface, and a bottom coversurface, wherein a top cover surface of the cushion cover defines asecond channel to a second storage compartment; and a cushion removablyinserted into the cushion cover through the second channel, wherein thecushion cover configures to the shape of the inserted cushion, whereinthe cushion cover containing the cushion is inserted into the firststorage compartment of the main body.

In another embodiment of the subject invention, the front cover of thecushion cover further comprises an exterior pocket. In embodiments ofthe subject invention, the opening of the pocket may have a plurality ofre-usable fastening devices, such as button snaps, zippers, clasps,snaps, toggles, or hook and loop fasteners for closing the pocket. Inother embodiments of the subject invention, the pocket is configured toremovably receive and hold standard writing utensils, such as pencilsand pens.

In a further embodiment of the subject invention, the backpack furthercomprises a second adjustable shoulder strap on the back surface,wherein the second shoulder strap comprises a top padded portion coupledto the edge of the top surface, a bottom portion coupled to the bottomsurface; and a second buckle adjustably attaching the top padded portionand the bottom portion of the second shoulder strap.

In another embodiment of the subject invention, the first plurality ofre-usable fastening devices may be button snaps, zippers, clasps, snaps,toggles, or hook and loop fasteners.

In other embodiments of the subject invention, the width of the backpackmay be ten to twenty-four inches, and the height of the backpack may besixteen to thirty inches.

In further embodiments of the subject invention, the width of the covermay be eight to sixteen inches, and the height of the cover may be fourto ten inches.

In another embodiment of the subject invention, the bottom portion ofeach shoulder strap may comprise a substantially flat webbing strap. Inembodiments of the subject invention, the width of the top portion ofthe shoulder straps may be one to three inches, and the width of thewebbing strap may be one half to two inches.

In additional embodiments of the subject invention, the width of thecushion cover may be thirteen to twenty inches, and the height of thecushion cover may be eighteen to twenty-five inches.

In other embodiments of the subject invention, the width of the secondchannel may be fourteen and a half inches in width to accommodate thewidth of the pillow to be inserted.

In further embodiments of the subject invention, the width of the pocketmay be eight to twelve inches, and the height of the pocket may be sixto ten inches.

In additional embodiments of the subject invention, the main body of thebackpack and the body of the pillow sleeve may each further includeadditional external pockets, waist straps, chest straps, or reflectivematerials.

In other embodiments of the subject invention, the main body of thebackpack and the cushion cover may be composed of any combination thefollowing: animal fabrics such as wool or silk; animal skin, such asleather or fur; plant fabrics such as cotton, modal, or hemp; orsynthetic materials such as nylon, polyester, aramid, ingeo, olefin,acrylic, or synthetic leather.

In further embodiments of the subject invention, an internal surface ofthe cover, an external surface of the cover, the front surface, and theback surface may contain printed indicia thereon. This printed indiciamay include, but is not limited to: logos, cartoon images, photographicimages, game images, lithographic images, advertisements, drawings,hand-painted images, or holographic images.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the followingdetailed description of exemplary embodiments thereof, which descriptionshould be considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of one embodiment of the pillowpaxbackpack with the top flap in the open position.

FIG. 2 illustrates a back view of the embodiment of the pillowpaxbackpack with the top flap in the open position.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of one embodiment of the pillow sleeveof the pillowpax backpack.

FIG. 4 illustrates a back view of one embodiment of the pillow sleeve ofthe pillowpax backpack.

FIG. 5 illustrates another back view of the embodiment of the pillowpaxbackpack with the top flap in the open position.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded back view of the embodiment of thepillowpax backpack strap buckle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The following will describe, in detail, several embodiments of thepresent invention. These embodiments are provided by way of explanationonly, and thus, should not unduly restrict the scope of the invention.In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate upon readingthe present specification and viewing the present drawings that theinvention teaches many variations and modifications, and that numerousvariations of the invention may be employed, used and made withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the invention.

For a conceptual understanding of the invention and its operationaladvantages, refer to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter inwhich there are preferred embodiments of the invention illustrated.Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment(s),taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which by way ofexample; illustrate the principles of the invention.

FIGS. 1, 2 and 5 illustrate a backpack 1 configured to carry a removablepillow. The backpack 1 includes a front cover 2 coupled to a back cover3 through stitching or adhesives along a bottom edge 4, a top edge 5,and side edges 6 to form a main body 7. The main body 7 of the backpack1 defines a main internal compartment 8.

The backpack 1 further contains a top edge flap 9 that is foldable alongline 10 over a top opening 11 of main internal compartment 8. Theinternal surface 12 of the top flap 9 and the front surface 13 of thebackpack 1 may each have a plurality of re-usable fastening devices 14,such as button snaps, zippers, clasps, snaps, toggles, or hook and loopfasteners as shown for closing the flap 9 over the main internalcompartment 8.

FIGS. 2 and 5 illustrate a back view of a pillowpax backpack 1. Theexternal surface 15 of the top flap 9 will extend over the top opening11 of the backpack 1 when the top flap 9 is folded over along line 10.

In embodiments of the subject invention, the width of backpack 1 may beten to twenty-four inches, with sixteen inches of width being thepreferred embodiment. In further embodiments of the subject invention,the height of backpack 1 may be sixteen to thirty inches, withtwenty-four inches of height being the preferred embodiment.

In embodiments of the subject invention, the width of top flap 9 may beeight to sixteen inches, with thirteen inches of width being thepreferred embodiment. In further embodiments of the subject invention,the height of top flap 9 may be four to ten inches, with six inches ofheight being the preferred embodiment.

The rear surface 16 of the backpack 1 may contain at least oneadjustable shoulder strap 17. Each shoulder strap 17 may contain a toppadded portion 18 with a top end 19. The top end 19 of the shoulderstrap 17 may be stitched or adhered to the top edge 5 of the backpack 1.The bottom portion 20 of each shoulder strap 17 may comprises asubstantially flat webbing strap 21. The bottom end 22 of each bottomportion 20 may be stitched or adhered to the bottom edge 4 of backpack1.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the top portion 18 of each shoulder strap 17may also include a buckle 23 with at least one opening 24 and a frictionbar 25 that engages the webbing strap 21. The webbing strap 21 may beinserted through the opening 24 of the buckle 23 and wrapped around thefriction bar 25 to adjustably connect the top portion 18 to the bottomportion 20 of each shoulder strap 17. The webbing strap 21 may be slidthrough the opening 24 of the buckle 23 to adjust the length of eachshoulder strap 17 for a user. A user of the backpack 1 may place theseshoulder straps 17 over one or both shoulders for easy transport.

In embodiments of the subject invention, the width of the top portion 18of the shoulder strap 17 may be one to three inches, with two and a halfinches of width being the preferred embodiment. In embodiments of thesubject invention, the width of the webbing strap may be one half to twoinches, with one inch of width being the preferred embodiment.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a pillow sleeve 26 of the pillowpax backpack 1.The pillow sleeve 26 includes a front cover 27 coupled to a back cover28 with stitching or adhesives along a bottom edge 29, a top edge 30,and side edges 31 to form a sleeve body 32. The pillow sleeve 26 definesa second internal compartment 33. This second internal compartment isconfigured to removably hold a pillow that is preferably fourteen incheswide by twenty inches in height.

In embodiments of the subject invention, the width of pillow sleeve 26may be thirteen to twenty inches, with sixteen inches of width being thepreferred embodiment. In further embodiments of the subject invention,the height of pillow sleeve 26 may be eighteen to twenty-five inches,with twenty-one inches of height being the preferred embodiment.

The pillow sleeve 26 contains a top opening 34 over the second internalcompartment 33. The top opening 34 of the pillow sleeve 26 may have aplurality of re-usable fastening devices 35, such as button snaps,zippers, clasps, snaps, toggles, or hook and loop fasteners for closingthe opening 34 over the second internal compartment 33. In embodimentsof the subject invention, the width of top opening 34 may be fourteenand a half inches in width to accommodate the width of the pillow to beinserted.

The front cover 27 of the pillow sleeve 26 further contains a pocket 36.The opening 37 of the pocket 36 may have a plurality of re-usablefastening devices 38, such as button snaps, zippers, clasps, snaps,toggles, or hook and loop fasteners for closing the pocket 36. Thepocket 36 is configured to removably receive and hold standard writingutensils, such as pencils and pens.

In embodiments of the subject invention, the width of pocket 36 may beeight to twelve inches, with ten inches of width being the preferredembodiment. In further embodiments of the subject invention, the heightof pocket 36 may be six to ten inches, with 8.25 inches of height beingthe preferred embodiment.

In embodiments of the subject invention, the main body 7 of backpack andthe body 32 of pillow sleeve 26 may each further include additionalexternal pockets, waist straps, chest straps, or reflective materials.

In embodiments of the subject invention, the main body 7 of backpack 1and the body 32 of pillow sleeve 26 may be composed of any combinationthe following: animal fabrics such as wool or silk; animal skin, such asleather or fur; plant fabrics such as cotton, modal, or hemp; orsynthetic materials such as nylon, polyester, aramid, ingeo, olefin,acrylic, or synthetic leather.

In embodiments of the subject invention, the internal surface 12 of thetop flap 9, the external surface 15 of the top flap 9, the front cover2, and the back cover 3 may contain printed indicia thereon. Thisprinted indicia may include, but is not limited to: logos, cartoonimages, photographic images, game images, lithographic images,advertisements, drawings, hand-painted images, or holographic images.

The many aspects and benefits of the invention are apparent from thedetailed description, and thus, it is intended for the following claimsto cover such aspects and benefits of the invention, which fall withinthe scope, and spirit of the invention. In addition, because numerousmodifications and variations will be obvious and readily occur to thoseskilled in the art, the claims should not be construed to limit theinvention to the exact construction and operation illustrated anddescribed herein. Accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents should be understood to fall within the scope of theinvention as claimed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A backpack configured to carry a removablepillow, the backpack comprising: a front cover coupled to a back coveralong a bottom edge, a top edge, a first side edge, and a second sideedge to define a main body with a top opening to a main internalcompartment; a flap foldably attached to the top edge, such that theflap is foldable over the top opening of the main internal compartment;a first plurality of re-usable fastening devices attached to the flapand the front cover for holding the flap over the top opening; at leastone adjustable shoulder strap on the back cover, wherein the shoulderstrap comprises a top padded portion coupled to the top edge, a bottomportion coupled to the bottom edge; a buckle attached to the top paddedportion of the shoulder strap, wherein the buckle comprises at least oneopening and a friction bar, further wherein the bottom portion of theshoulder strap may be inserted through the opening around the frictionbar to adjustably couple the top portion and the bottom portion of theshoulder strap; a substantially flat pillow sleeve comprising a frontsleeve cover coupled to a back sleeve cover along a bottom sleeve edge,a top sleeve edge, a first side sleeve edge, and a second side sleeveedge to define a sleeve body with a top sleeve opening to a sleeveinternal compartment; and a second plurality of re-usable fasteningdevices attached to the top sleeve edge of the pillow sleeve forremovably closing the front sleeve cover and back sleeve cover over thesleeve opening; and a pillow removably inserted into the pillow sleevethrough the sleeve opening, wherein the pillow sleeve configures to theshape of the inserted pillow, wherein the pillow sleeve containing thepillow is inserted into the main internal compartment of the main body.2. The backpack of claim 1, wherein the front cover of the pillow sleevefurther comprises an exterior pocket configured to removably receive andhold writing utensils.
 3. The backpack of claim 1, further comprising asecond adjustable shoulder strap on the back cover, wherein the secondshoulder strap comprises a top padded portion coupled to the top edge, abottom portion coupled to the bottom edge; and a second buckle attachedto the top padded portion of the second shoulder strap, wherein thesecond buckle comprises at least one opening and a friction bar, furtherwherein the bottom portion of the second shoulder strap may be insertedthrough the opening around the friction bar to adjustably couple the topportion and the bottom portion of the second shoulder strap.
 4. Thebackpack of claim 1, wherein the first and second pluralities ofre-usable fastening devices are selected from the group consisting ofbutton snaps, zippers, clasps, snaps, toggles, or hook and loopfasteners.
 5. The backpack of claim 1, wherein the width of the backpackis ten to twenty-four inches, and the height of the backpack is sixteento thirty inches.
 6. The backpack of claim 1, wherein the width of thetop flap is eight to sixteen inches, and the height of the top flap isfour to ten inches.
 7. The backpack of claim 1, wherein the width of thepillow sleeve is thirteen to twenty inches, and the height of the pillowsleeve is eighteen to twenty-five inches.
 8. The backpack of claim 1,wherein the width of the top opening is fourteen and a half inches inwidth.
 9. The backpack of claim 2, wherein the width of the pocket iseight to twelve inches, and the height of the pocket is six to teninches.
 10. The backpack of claim 1, wherein the main body of thebackpack and the body of the pillow sleeve are composed of a flexiblematerial selected from the group consisting of: animal fabrics, animalskin, plant fabrics, and synthetic materials.
 11. The backpack of claim1, wherein the main body of the backpack and the body of the pillowsleeve are composed of a flexible material selected from the groupconsisting of: wool, silk, leather, fur, cotton, modal, hemp, nylon,polyester, aramid, ingeo, olefin, acrylic, and synthetic leather. 12.The backpack of claim 1, wherein the external surface of the top flapcontains printed indicia thereon comprising an image selected from thegroup consisting of: logos, cartoon images, photographic images, gameimages, lithographic images, advertisements, drawings, hand-paintedimages, and holographic images.
 12. The backpack of claim 1, wherein theinternal surface of the top flap, the external surface of the top flap,the front cover, and the back cover each contain printed indiciathereon.
 13. The backpack of claim 1, wherein the front cover containsprinted indicia thereon comprising an image selected from the groupconsisting of: logos, cartoon images, photographic images, game images,lithographic images, advertisements, drawings, hand-painted images, andholographic images.
 14. The backpack of claim 1, wherein the back covercontains printed indicia thereon comprising an image selected from thegroup consisting of: logos, cartoon images, photographic images, gameimages, lithographic images, advertisements, drawings, hand-paintedimages, and holographic images.
 15. A backpack configured to carry aremovable cushion, the backpack comprising: a main body with a frontsurface, a back surface, a first side surface, a second side surface,and a bottom surface, wherein a top surface of the main body defines afirst channel to a first storage compartment; a cover movably attachedto an edge of the top surface, such that the cover is movable over thefirst channel of the storage compartment; a first plurality of re-usablefastening devices attached to the cover and the front surface forholding the cover over the channel; at least one adjustable shoulderstrap on the back surface, wherein the shoulder strap comprises a toppadded portion coupled to the edge of the top surface, a bottom portioncoupled to the bottom surface; a buckle adjustably attaching the toppadded portion and the bottom portion of the shoulder strap; a cushioncover comprising a front cover surface, a back cover surface, a firstside cover surface, a second side cover surface, and a bottom coversurface, wherein a top cover surface of the cushion cover defines asecond channel to a second storage compartment; and a cushion removablyinserted into the cushion cover through the second channel, wherein thecushion cover configures to the shape of the inserted cushion, whereinthe cushion cover containing the cushion is inserted into the firststorage compartment of the main body.
 16. The backpack of claim 15,wherein the front cover of the cushion cover further comprises anexterior pocket configured to removably receive and hold standardwriting utensils.
 17. The backpack of claim 1, wherein the backpackfurther comprises a second adjustable shoulder strap on the backsurface, wherein the second shoulder strap comprises a top paddedportion coupled to the edge of the top surface, a bottom portion coupledto the bottom surface; and a second buckle adjustably attaching the toppadded portion and the bottom portion of the second shoulder strap.